Paleoecologic interpretation of ostracoda from the Skelley Member Conemaugh Group (Pennsylvanian), southeastern Ohio
The Skelley Member, consisting of a shale and overlying limestone, in Noble County, Ohio, occurs in the upper third of the Conemaugh Group. It displays an overall low diversity-high dominance assemblage of ostracodes. Modern assemblages displaying similar distribution frequently inhabit shallow, unstable aquatic environments. Variations in diversity and abundance are greatest in the lower portion of the unit, and decrease upwards. This could indicate an increase in environmental instability with time. Intermittent increase in terrigenous clastics is suggested by the presence of the opportunistic species Cavellina nebrascensis. The high percentage of fine sediment, mica content, and good fossil preservation indicate quiet-water deposition of the Skelley shale. The increased diversity of micro- and macrofauna, and the assemblage of corals, echinoderms, algae and ostracodes characteristic of the Skelley limestone indicate shallow, clear normal-marine water conditions. Fragmented fossils, sparry matrix, cross-bedding and scour marks indicate that the limestone may have been deposited under medium- to high-energy conditions. The dominant physical process displayed by this unit is current activity. This suggests that the Skelley limestone may represent the reworking of substrate material by organisms and/or water, or the transport and deposition of erosional products from another locale.
- Research Organization:
- Wichita Univ., KS (USA)
- OSTI ID:
- 6876755
- Report Number(s):
- CONF-8510489-
- Journal Information:
- Geol. Soc. Am., Abstr. Programs; (United States), Journal Name: Geol. Soc. Am., Abstr. Programs; (United States) Vol. 17; ISSN GAAPB
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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Related Subjects
580100* -- Geology & Hydrology-- (-1989)
ANIMALS
AQUATIC ORGANISMS
ARTHROPODS
CARBONATE ROCKS
CRUSTACEANS
FEDERAL REGION V
FOSSILS
GEOLOGIC AGES
GEOLOGIC FORMATIONS
GEOLOGIC HISTORY
INVERTEBRATES
LIMESTONE
LITHOLOGY
NORTH AMERICA
OHIO
PALEONTOLOGY
PALEOZOIC ERA
PENNSYLVANIAN PERIOD
ROCKS
SEDIMENTARY ROCKS
SHALES
SPECIES DIVERSITY
USA